President Milanović at Croatian Defence Academy: Best of luck, knowledge and skills to the executive authority and Defence Minister in equipping the Croatian Army
“Best of luck, knowledge and skills to the Croatian executive authority and to the minister present here in equipping the Croatian Army and in completing the projects that were launched many years ago. First of all I’m referring to certain matters related to the Croatian Navy and the Coast Guard, that will be quite difficult”, the President of the Republic Zoran Milanović stated at the “Dr. Franjo Tuđman Defence Academy where he attended the graduation ceremony of new officers of the Croatian Armed Forces and the presentation of first officer’s ranks in medical services.
Speaking about equipping the Croatian Army President Milanović noted: “The weapons we manufacture, unfortunately, in small numbers or not at all – except for some honourable exceptions – are so expensive that today there’s no point in talking about how much money is allocated, but what we are getting for that money, how much you can defend yourselves with it and how much you can contribute. Those results are devastating not only for Croatia, but for everyone. Weapons are sold, resold and manufactured in special circumstances – that’s the world we live in”.
In his address President Milanović extended special greetings and congratulations to the new Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister Ivan Anušić for assuming office. “Yours is a very responsible duty even in much easier times, let alone the present time. Your ministerial post is very important and I wish you all the best. I hope for good cooperation,” President Milanović said.
To the new officers of the Croatian Armed Forces he wish a successful and pleasant career and to stay in the Army as long as possible. “You have made a good choice, but I’m subjective, I’m the Croatian President and Commander in Chief and in my view everyone that has chosen this vocation has made a good choice. Firstly, I congratulate you for what you have done so far, in school and the studies you have completed because they are difficult schools that demand a complete person. It’s hard work, and it is complemented and crowned by what you have accomplished now. Welcome to the Croatian Army!”, President Milanović stated.
In his address the President of the Republic commented on the situation in the world. “We live in challenging and hard times. We live in a changing world which seems to be falling apart”, President Milanović said, adding that we have to adapt to this new world both as an ally and the national state of the Croatian people. “The high cost of armament renders us dependent on the alliance in which we live, work, develop and with which we cooperate. It’s an alliance you have to have trust and on which you have to rely, but also be aware that we care about this country, Croatia, and that we alone must look after its well-being at all times”, President Milanović said in concluding his address.
In accordance with the constitutional and legal powers vested in him, the President of the Republic and Commander in Chief of the Croatian Armed Forces Zoran Milanović reached a Decision on bestowing upon the 15th generation of students of Basic officer’s training in Medical Services the rank of first lieutenant and second lieutenant of Medical Services of the Croatian Armed Forces. Presenting the ranks in addition to President Milanović were the Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister Ivan Anušić, the Chief of the General Staff of the Croatian Armed Forces Admiral Robert Hranj and the commander of the “Dr. Franjo Tuđman” Croatian Defence Academy Major General Slaven Zdilar.
The rank of first lieutenant/second lieutenant – Medical Services of the Croatian Armed Forces was bestowed upon seven candidates for officers (Doctor of Medicine) to: Marina Baran, Vesna Jakus, Dragan Pervan, Filip Relković, Ana Stanković, Lana Sučec and Lena Šimić. The rank of first lieutenant/second lieutenant – Medical Services of the Croatian Armed Forces was bestowed upon three candidates for officers (Doctor of Dental Medicine, Master of Nursing and Bachelor of Nursing): Ivan Bek, Nikolina Koceić and Bernarda Pejić.
Attending the ceremony alongside President Milanović in the Croatian Defence Academy were the Adviser to the President for Defence Ivica Olujić, the Special Adviser to the President for Homeland War Veterans Marijan Mareković, the Head of the Military Office of the President of the Republic Colonel Ivica Kranjčević and the Aide-de-camp to the President of the Republic Colonel Vlado Čulina.
PHOTO: Office of the President of the Republic of Croatia / Tomislav Bušljeta